Goodyear Implements First To File’s Electronic File Room for Paperless Management of Patent Information

SAN MATEO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CPA Global’s First To File® (FTF), a leading provider of SaaS-based intellectual property (IP) management technology, announced today The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has implemented its Electronic File Room (EFR) software-as-a-service (SaaS) to manage its patent data. First To File technology is playing a pivotal role to help Goodyear create a completely paperless environment prior to moving into its new global headquarters in Akron, Ohio in March.

Goodyear’s new office will have limited space for paper files, so it needed to change file storage and document workflow to eliminate paper. Also, the company recognized using FTF would help reduce cost, errors and improve efficiencies. Paperless patent processing supports Goodyear’s commitment to environmental responsibility, as the company was recently recognized by Newsweek as one of ‘America’s Greenest Companies’ in 2012.

First To File’s integration with the USPTO Private PAIR correspondences enables Goodyear to use USPTO’s e-Office system for the first time, increasing efficiency and reducing delays. Goodyear also will be deploying FTF’s Agent Access Portal to reduce the significant administrative overhead associated with inbounding documents from foreign associates.

Bruce Hendricks, Associate General Counsel at Goodyear, said: “Until we implemented First To File, we were working with a lot of paper. With First To File, that is changing fast. First To File’s tri-fold interface feels familiar and we are getting up to speed quickly. When we move in March, we will not transfer paper patent files. And, our team will be able to store and retrieve documents seamlessly, from anywhere.”

First To File’s Vice President, Operations, Kurt Wedel, remarked: “We are very pleased Goodyear has quickly and successfully implemented First To File’s Electronic File Room, and it will be instrumental to their commitment to have a paper-free workflow. The IP-specific automation and efficiency our technology provides, combined with its online access from anywhere, makes it an ideal fit for corporations and law firms wishing to modernize their IP data management. We are excited to work with Goodyear to help them achieve their ambitious objective to go paperless by March.”

For more information about First To File’s Electronic File Room, visit http://www.firsttofile.com/?page_id=16.

About First To File

Founded in 2006, First To File (FTF) is a software company based in San Mateo, California specializing in intellectual property (IP) information management technology. The company has recently been acquired by CPA Global (www.cpaglobal.com), the world’s leading IP management and software specialist.

First To File’s products automate the storage, management and analysis of legal documents worldwide, enabling law firms and corporate legal professionals to reduce risk and work more effectively. FTF’s Electronic File Room (EFR) for Patents and Trademarks is a web-based document management and automation solution for IP corporate legal and law firms of all sizes. Used by Fortune 500 companies as well as top IP law firms, EFR for Patents and Trademarks reduces reliance on paper and transforms the prosecution process by increasing overall visibility, efficiency and quality while significantly reducing costs. For more information, visit www.firsttofile.com or follow us on Twitter @FirstToFile or Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=101788879272.

About The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company

Goodyear is one of the world’s largest tire companies. It employs approximately 71,000 people and manufactures its products in 53 facilities in 22 countries around the world. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry. Goodyear was named one of America’s Greenest Companies by Newsweek in 2012. For more information about Goodyear or its products, go to www.goodyear.com/corporate.